Marxist+Cartoons

Add a cartoon that you've found to this site, and then explain its significance. How does it relate to marxist theory? //Brave New World//?

The humor of this cartoon is found in its simple parody of our national pastime...shopping. Marxist theory holds that in a capitalist society, consuming becomes an obsession that is reinforced by all aspects of society. Materialism becomes the goal of every behavior. The cartoon points out the silliness of a society that aggrandizes the "act" of buying as if it is the pinnacle of accomplishments. -//Mr. R. ;-)//

 __"Owing to the extensive use of machinery, and to the division of labor, the work of the proletarians has lost all individual character, and, consequently, all charm for the workman" (Marx).__ This quotation is the classic definition of Marxist alienation. The worker becomes alienated by a system that does not take individual fulfillment into account. According to Marx, alienation of the worker is a motivating force behind the proletarian revolt against the capitalist regime. The cartoon of course is playing with words, but the uniting of "aliens" is exactly what Marx believed would be the result of capitalist abuses. In essence, Marx was 100% right, which is why our country has had such a wild and crazy history of unionization. Capitalists don't want them, but workers need them (that's right, even us teachers!).

 The members of the BNW, especially the lower casted gammas, deltas, and epsilons are perfect examples of the alienation of the working class. Of course, in our extreme future dystopia, the workers have been genetically engineered and conditioned to accept this alienation. And of course, if all else fails, there's always soma!  //Jonathan Lustberg, Cartoon//  //D. Riccuiti, Commentary//

It is apparent that this cartoon thoroughly expresses the ideology of //Brave New World//. In the cartoon, two individuals are looking at a "nursery" where due to the dialogue underneath, we can conclude that the babies in the nursery are identical to each other. After the individuals are conditioned differently, in order to assure the correct class placement, they will fulfill their role in society by "consuming" and benefiting the upper class Alphas and Betas. This cartoon is in direct correlation to Marxism as well, because it deals with the issue of a majority working class (proletariat) and a minority upper class (bourgeois). //-Kristiana Rios//

The preservation of a stable economy is a central theme in Huxley's //Brave New World//. Consumerism is advocated at an early age for Brave New Worlders during hypnopaedic lessons through short, catchy slogans: "But old clothes are beastly. We always throw away old clothes (43). Ending is better than mending (44). The more stitches the less riches (46).” This cartoon depicts a small child who is already taking on the role of a consumer and can represent the conditioning of the BNW. //- Irina Rusu//

It is also a very clear example of our own ideology at work, which also conditions American citizens at a very young age to consume material products. One of Jordan's (my son) first toys when he started walking was, you guessed it, a shopping cart filled with plastic food. Jordan also didn't ask to buy things until he started watching kids channels that have commercials. Disney Channel does not, but Nick does. The commercials work, and they keep coming. -Mr. R. ;-)

Rather than finding a cartoon, I found this jeep ad that seemed to fit within the ideas of BNW and Marxist theory. As stated already, a huge part of the BNW ideology is the idea that old equals bad, and that buying new things constantly will help maintain an ideal consumer society. The citizens of Brave New World are conditioned to believe in these ideals, and thus, grow up believing that a society should revolve around constant consumption. This recent advertisement implies that a jeep is a lifestyle, a personality even. It was surprising to see such an ad, because the idea that people are what they buy has never been a desired trait for our society. //-Lisa Hittner//

Lisa, this is an excellent find and a very enlightened critique. I challenge you and the rest of the students who read this to continue critiquing the world around you. Advertisements, music, television shows, movies, and even news coverage all help to maintain our American ideology. //-Mr. R.//

This cartoon depreciates the value of human life. By having human body parts in a vending machine it shows that they are not of great value and they can be replaced. Organs in a vending machine is similar to the decanting factories in BNW. Instead of being born, the people in Brave New World are made, which leads to a lower appreciation for the value of life. //-Rebecca Larsen//

Great commentary on the cartoon and novel!
-Mr. R.